High Temperatures North Heat Period Drought American Wave

In 1936, North America experienced the most "severe" (strong; intense) "heat wave" (period of time with extremely high temperatures) in "modern history" (human history; recorded history). The "timing" (when something happened) could not have been worse, because it "hit" (happened) when people were already suffering significant "hardship" (difficult and challenging experiences) associated with the Great Depression (a very bad period of financial problems; see English Café 327) and the Dust Bowl (a very bad period of farming; see English Café 357).

The heat wave began in June and "peaked" (reached its highest point) in July, with temperatures as high as 121°F (49 °C) in North Dakota. Many cities reported temperatures over 100°F (38 °C) for long "stretches" (something that happens over a long period of time) of "consecutive days" (with something happening on many days, without a break in between them). Many of those high temperatures remained "on record" (were recorded as being the highest temperature) until the 2012 North American heat wave.

Temperatures returned to normal in September, but the hot summer days "took their toll" (caused significant damage and suffering). Many crops were "destroyed" (ruined) by the drought and "extreme" (very strong; very high) heat. The "soil" (dirt) temperature was so high in some places that it reduced the "soil fertility" (ability for land and soil to support plant growth).

More than 5,000 people died during the heat wave, largely because the high temperatures occurred at a time when very few homes and office buildings had "air conditioning" (equipment in a building that blows cool or cold air and that helps to lower the temperature of the air).